We need to talk about suicide

Suicide is the most common cause of death for men under 50 in the UK

“In suicide you can’t go back. You exit this world and you can’t come back.”

Globally, there is one suicide every 40 seconds

“It’s very difficult to detect the signs of somebody who is suicidal, because it ebbs and flows.”

In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide

“Feeling suicidal is just the loneliest, loneliest feeling.”

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-44 years

“There’s nothing wrong with showing your feelings.”

According to the World Health Organisation, youth suicide is increasing at the greatest rate

“We need to have those conversations to make it something that people can share if they are feeling that desperate”

25-30% of suicides are accompanied by a note

“You never think it can happen to you.”

Men are 3 times more likely than women to take their own life

“It’s really surprising the amount of people I know that have had the same thoughts and gone to do the same things.”

In the UK, female suicide rates are at their highest in a decade

“Suicide is a very final solution to a temporary problem.”

72% of people who died by suicide between 2002 and 2012 had not been in contact with their GP or health professional about these feelings in the year before their suicide

“Let’s talk about it, let’s treat it in the way we would if it was a physical problem.”

About the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial fund

Once a year MerchantCantos make a film for a charity. We chose to work with the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund because of the important work it does in raising awareness of the growing problem of suicide. We created this microsite because we thought each individual story needed sharing. MerchantCantos would like to thank Clare, Melissa, Paul, Charlie, Sangeeta, Steve, Barbara, Marie and Rebecca for making this project possible.

If you have been affected by any of these issues, you can contact the charities and organisations that have supported our interviewees.